12 May 2015

Common People: pop’s most intriguing mysteries

The identity of the mystery woman from Greece in Pulp’s smash hit Common People may have finally have been revealed. But who was Sweet Caroline and who did Carly Simon think was So Vain?

Common People

The Greek publication Athens Voice reported that the woman who inspired Jarvis Cocker to write the 1995 hit song was Danae Stratou – the wife of Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis. Mrs Stratou studied at Central St Martins College in London between 1983 and 1988 – where she is said to have met Cocker.

Although neither Cocker nor Stratou have commented, Mr Varoufakis said in a recent interview: “Well, I wouldn’t have known her back then. But I do know that she was the only Greek student of sculpture at Saint Martins College at that time. And, from personal experience, she is a very fascinating person.”

Just Like a Woman

Bob Dylan’s iconic 1966 single Just Like A Woman is said to be inspired by Andy Warhol’s Factory pin-up girl Edie Sedgwick. However, others claim the song is about Dylan’s ex-girlfriend, folk singer and activist Joan Baez. Dylan has always remained coy about the subject.

Sweet Caroline

For years people thought 1969 hit by Neil Diamond was dedicated to the young daughter of late US president John F Kennedy. But in 2014 Diamond said it was a love song written for his then-wife Marcia Murphey. Diamond said he had to change the name because he needed a three-syllable word to fit the chorus.

You’re So Vain

The 1972 hit by Carly Simon, has for years left people asking: Who’s So Vain? It is generally believed that Simon was singing about her singer-songwriter ex-husband James Taylor. However she denies the claim. Warren Beatty, Mick Jagger, James Taylor and David Geffen have also been linked to the song.

Uptown Girl

Billy Joel is said to have written the song Uptown Girl in 1983 for his then girlfriend Christie Brinkley. However, this is only half true. Joel apparently started writing the song when he was dating Australian model Elle MacPherson, and finished it after meeting Brinkley.

Eleanor Rigby

In the 1980s, the grave of an Eleanor Rigby was “discovered” in the graveyard of St Peter’s Parish Church in Woolton, Liverpool. Paul McCartney and John Lennon are said to have visited the cemetery as teenagers. Many years later, McCartney admitted the lyrics could be a product of his subconscious.